Avid has quietly revised the timetable for some of the features announced back in April 2017 compared with Results Announcements published on the ACA site this month using the data that came from a survey of ACA members that we covered in February 2017. This came to light when we were researching a story about what Avid still had to release in 2017 from the announced outcomes back in April.

Pro Tools Features

In the first part of the survey, back in February, Avid asked about Pro Tools Features and we were asked to drag and drop the topics below to rank them on the level of importance. In April, at the Avid Connect event just before NAB 2017 in Las Vegas, Avid announced their plans for each of the features as shown in this table, but in the document posted this month on the ACA website, they have revised their plans somewhat.

To show the changes, we have added a 4th column to the results table we published back in April 2017 and highlighted in red the items that have been pushed back and highlighted in green the items Avid have completed or moved forward...

Feature

Feature Details

Announced Outcome In April 2017

Announced Outcome In September 2017

New Post workflows

Folder tracks, multiple sessions open at one time.

Planned 2017 Release

In the queue for 2018 as a planned release

Enhanced MIDI Functionality

New MIDI tools to further music creation workflow.

Planned 2017 Release

Planned 2017 Release

Enhanced AVE (Avid Video Engine) Workflows

Support of new codecs, enhancements to existing video interop inside Pro Tools.

Planned 2017 Release

In the queue for 2018 as a planned release

Virtual Instrument Upgrades

New VI tools inside Pro Tools and better integration with 3rd party VIs.

Under investigation

In the queue for 2018 - under investigation

Enhanced Voice Capability for Pro Tools Native HD Systems

Larger voice count for Pro Tools HD Native.

In the queue for 2018

In the queue for 2018

iOS App for Pro Tools

iOS version of Pro Tools for mobile recording, editing & sharing of ideas for collaboration.

Under investigation

Under investigation

Immersive / 3D Audio Integration

Further integration of Dolby ATMOS and other 3D formats into Pro Tools mixer.

New Post Workflows Pushed Back

Avid has quietly pushed back the new Post workflows like Folder tracks, and multiple sessions open at one time. However, they have somewhat confusingly repeated the Multiple sessions open at once feature by adding it as a separate item, whilst leaving it in the New Post Workflows and listed it as simply "Under Investigation".

Enhanced AVE Workflows Pushed Back

The second item to be pushed back is the Enhanced AVE (Avid Video Engine) Workflows with the support of new codecs and enhancements to existing video interoperability inside Pro Tools, which is a real shame.

Dolby Atmos Delivered And VI Upgrades Have A Timeframe

On the positive side, they have achieved the successful implementation of the integration of Dolby ATMOS and other 3D formats into Pro Tools mixer and they have now put a time-frame on the virtual instrument upgrades with new VI tools inside Pro Tools and better integration with 3rd party VIs from "Under Investigation" to In The Queue for 2018 albeit still under investigation.

What Do You Think?

What do you think this new MIDI Tools would look like? What do you think they need to be and what do you think Avid might give us.

Post users, are you disappointed that the Folder Tracks has been pushed back? What about the confusion over the More Than One Session Open At The Same Time feature? Is that something you are screaming for?